Automotive

An Australian family-owned manufacturer of slide-on campers is celebrating the success of its formula of rugged high quality and 100 per cent product backing with the opening of its new production plant in Victoria to serve its continuously expanding business.  Tommy Campers – based in Ballarat– has grown from humble beginnings with limited production in 2015, to year-on-year growth, based extensively on word-of-mouth satisfaction from customers who have put their personalised campers through their paces on the roughest tracks throughout Australia.  “Since day one, our goal has remained the same: to build the best quality campers that are the fastest and easiest to slide-on to owners’ diverse vehicles. We engineer to suit customers’ needs, not try to squeeze their needs into a standard format. Our winning formula has stood the test of time to the point where we have now invested in a totally new plant where we can do even more to advance our in-house production, customisation and quality control facilities,” says company Operations Manager Dan. (Ed; who prefers to be known simply as Dan).  Typical of the attention to detail, comfort and cost is the use of the Australian made and globally recommended Duoetto 12V/240V 10-litre water heater, which safely and compactly delivers plenty of hot water whether using mains power or battery input great distances from anywhere on the coast or deep in the Outback.  Tommy Campers (www.tommycampers.com.au) feature:  Unrivalled strength, with an industry-leading 3mm thick aluminium body.  Spacious interior, with a vertically fitting roof engineered to give 38 per cent more interior space for a huge bedding area  Effortless setup Multiple configurations with practical options, delivered as a bare DIY shell, a fully fitted product or anything in between. Fitting to any ute, including dual-cab, space cab or single cab.  The Aus J water heaters fitted to Tommy Campers to ensure creature comfort are used worldwide by DIY and OEM specifiers and proven in service in applications ranging from tropical Africa and Asia through to the extremes of Europe, the USA, Canada, Mexico, and South America.   “Having a hot water option is a must have for campers now. The Covid pandemic has greatly accelerated the discovery of our own country’s wonderful backyard for many people – with greater numbers of families involved in domestic adventure and leisure travel – and we see this trend continuing and increasing in the future,” said Dan.  “Electric is an excellent solution for our campers.  It is simple, safe and easily integrated with existing systems, and removes the challenges around gas supply and exhaust fumes that come with gas set-ups.”  Aus J Hot Water Solutions Managing Director Jay King says the quality and practicality built into Tommy Campers has impressed him since he first started dealing with the company several years ago.  “We love their service ethic, and their customer-first attitude. They are right up there with the best OEMs we deal with globally. Dan is right at the head of the field for making sure it works and continues to work so people can have confidence in them.”     The tough, Australian-designed compact and durable Duoetto MK2 water heater (www.ausj.com.au) offers selectable temperatures between 30-75 deg C (86-158F) on 240V so people can shower, wash, clean and enjoy abundant hot water whether mains power is available or not and without them having to store and carry additional fossil fuels on land or on the water.  

Road-friendly air suspension systems increase the ability of trucks, trailers and coaches to transport loads by levelling the suspension, enhancing stability, control and safety over Australia’s diverse and demanding network of more than 870,000 km of public roads. Use of these tough but comfortable systems – which also reduce noise and vibration – has grown exponentially over a generation in Australia, to the point where they have gone from being a comparative rarity to becoming an industry standard as drivers seek top performance on both sealed and tough unsealed roads, which still comprise more than half the total. Air suspension systems now abound in the Federal Government’s lists of Certified Road-Friendly Suspensions prepared by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. Suspensions on the list encompass the major OEM and specialist brands of worldwide manufacturers including in Australia. “When we started selling air springs for trucks 40 years ago, they were more of a rarity than the norm,” says Russell Chown, of Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd, national distributor of Firestone Industrial Products, manufacturer of one of the world’s top selling air spring brands.. “I am told we had just a few pioneers in the road transport industry back then, who appreciated the technology through the seat of the pants, more than anything else, because air suspensions were far smoother compared with the harsher, clumsy systems that were commonplace on heavy vehicles at that time. “But the industry as a whole quickly woke up to the fact that these suspensions could be kinder to the roads, as well as to them – and last for hundreds of thousands of kilometres. In well maintained cases, out past 600,000 km,” says Mr Chown, who is Sales Manager, at Air Springs Supply, which, through its national network, is a leading supplier of both vehicle and industrial air springs to industries including road transport, logistics, rail, mining and energy, manufacturing, construction and infrastructure and earthmoving and civil engineering. These markets – which have continued to be served by Air Springs Supply  throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – are major users of their ubiquitous Airride™, Airstroke® and Airmount® Firestone air springs and ContiTech air springs for coaches, prime movers and trailers. Today, demand for air springs utilised in air suspensions for all types of heavy vehicles (including a vigorously growing market for 4wds and recreational vehicles) has grown in line with a world market that is now estimated by market researchers to exceed $A6 billion. Mr Chown says that the tremendous distance travelled and safety achieved by OEM and after-market springs can be extended further with a preventative maintenance checklist (below) that takes just a matter of minutes and will save both downtime and money across major users of heavy vehicles, ranging from transport and logistics fleets through to mining, construction and individual users of articulated, rigid and on-road and off-road vehicles using air suspensions. The following simple checks will pay dividends (noting that users should never attempt to actually service the air suspension on a truck or trailer with the air springs inflated. Preventative Maintenance Checklist Inspect the Outside Diameter (O.D.) of the air spring. Check for signs of irregular wear or heat cracking. Inspect air lines to make sure contact doesn’t exist between the air line and the O.D. of the air spring. Air lines can rub a hole in an air spring very quickly. Check to see that there is sufficient clearance around the complete circumference of the air spring while at its maximum diameter. Inspect the O.D. of the piston for build-up of foreign materials. (On a reversible sleeve style air spring, the piston is the bottom component of the air spring). Correct ride height should be maintained. All vehicles with air springs have a specified ride height established by the O.E.M. manufacturer. This height, which is found in your service manual, should be maintained within 1/4” (6.3mm). This dimension can be checked with the vehicle loaded or empty. Leveling valves (or height control valves) play a large part in ensuring that the total air spring system works as required. Clean, inspect and replace, if necessary. Make sure you have the proper shock absorbers and check for leaking hydraulic oil and worn or broken end connectors. If a broken shock is found, replace it immediately. The shock absorber will normally limit the rebound of an air spring and keep it from overextending. Check the tightness of all mounting hardware (nuts and bolts). If loose, re-torque to the manufacturer’s specifications. Do not over-tighten. Use the right cleaning media because use of incorrect media can cause damage and void warranties. In the case of Firestone, for example, approved cleaning media are soap and water, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. Non-approved cleaning media include all organic solvents, open flames, abrasives and direct pressurized steam cleaning. Mr Chown says users who find a fault exists using the checklist should please take corrective action to ensure that it is fixed properly – “It will save you both time and money and ensure ongoing safety.” “Now more than ever it is important for safety and cost-efficiency to maintain the suspension of Australia’s hard-worked heavy vehicle fleet – including nearly 360,000 rigids over 4.5t GVM and more than 105,000 articulated trucks – which now have an average age of nearly 15 years. “This is twice the average of leading European nations and three times the average of China and California, according to the Trucking Industry Council”. (reference?) “So not only are Australian heavy vehicles working longer, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, they typically cover greater distances to keep up with constantly changing supply chains to deliver a greater range of urgently needed goods to far-flung urban and rural centres. Clearly safety and reliability are paramount for this vital job.” For more information about Air Springs Supply’s national distribution and technical support network, please contact Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd, Unit 18/38-46 South St, Rydalmere, Sydney 2116, ph. (02) 8877 5500, fax (02) 9807 6979,

Pristine environments don’t need more fossil fuel pollution or health hazards An Australian 12V/240V water heating innovation is finding new markets among global RV, marine and work vehicle markets because its clean, green performance cuts fossil fuel pollution in pristine places and emits no carbon monoxide or other hazardous and flammable gases in confined spaces. The Duoetto MK2 12V/240V 10-litre water heater from Aus J Hot Water Solutions globally – available to individuals and OEMs through www.ausj.com.au – builds on the local and international success of the first model in enabling people to enjoy civilised home comforts wherever they are on the road or on the water. More than 30,000 Aus J heaters have been sold globally, including to OEMs in Australia, Europe and the USA. “One thing that has taken us pleasantly by surprise is the increasing degree of interest from both OEMs and individual users concerned about the hazards of different types of heaters posed for children, animals and remote area travelers themselves, who prize the pristine local environments into which they are adventuring in the emerging post-Covid local travel boom,” says Aus J Managing Director, Jay King. Mr King says the tough, Australian-designed compact and durable water heater offers selectable temperatures between 30-75 deg C (86-158F) on 240V so people can shower, wash, clean and enjoy abundant hot water whether mains power is available or not and without them having to store and carry additional fossil fuels. Jay King (left) with his 12V/240V Mk 2 Duoetto, which is used globally on land and sea “We make many types of heaters, including the Duoetto, so we are not singling out particular types of heaters as being bad. Some of the alternatives are very good and do a magnificent job of heating lots of water quickly, so it is horses for courses. But there is always pollution with fossil fuels and a of risk of carbon monoxide when you sleep in a room where a conventional coal or gas fire, a log burner, a cooker, a water heater, or a back-burner leaks. You cannot feel the early symptoms of carbon monoxide, so some people feel it is important to protect their children, their pets and themselves.” “Others just like the pollution-free performance,” said Mr King, whose latest heaters feature a digital temperature control on the side of the heater, which is now being exported to markets including the Middle East and Asia, North America, Africa and Europe, including the UK. “Automatic sensors allow switching to 12V when mains power is not available, enabling the Duoetto to deliver ample hot water in remote areas such as campsites or on boats,” says Mr King. “The latest Duoetto MK2 is especially suited to caravans, equestrian transport, campervans, yachts, motorhomes and a huge range of recreational vehicles. When you’re on the road or out on the water, readily available hot water is a real luxury,” said Mr King. The 12V/240V Duoetto is suited to sailing and power pleasure craft, as well as work boats Amperage draw on batteries “We get some people saying, “But what about the water heater’s current draw on a battery,” and it is true that the heater will draw up to more amps when it is doing its job compared with, say, a refrigerator. But what they forget (and what OEM manufacturers know) is that it does this only for a brief period, as water temperatures rise by about a degree a minute above ambient levels.” “So even though the current draw sounds a lot, compared with 1.5 amps an hour from a refrigerator, for example, the point is that the fridge is on for 24 hours and draws far more amps overall. We have OEM customers in the US, Africa and Australia who sells their products into diverse markets and it is not a real problem. They stake their reputation on it.” “And what is happening as we emerge from Covid is that more people are travelling in their own countries and are learning how important it is to protect their natural environments from pollution. I think this is really creating environmental awareness benefits for us.” Upgrades on previous versions The Duoetto MK2 has a number of upgrades on the previous version, improvements designed to give the new water heater even greater quality, durability and longevity than the original, which has become OEM equipment on major campers in Australia and in export markets including South Africa and the US because of its functionality and reliability in service over a wide range of use and climatic conditions. Upgrades include: An Incoloy 840 heating element, which gives superior corrosion resistance and is designed for optimum use in extreme environments and temperatures. A single weld line tank for a sturdier construction, reduced water leakage and extended product life. Polyurethane insulation to maintain temperatures and reduce energy consumption. This is an environmentally harmonious CFC-free material. SPCC steel and enamel tank for improved corrosion resistance Digital temperature control for ease of control and readability, fully adjustable from 30-70 deg C The Duoetto MK2 comes with internationally recognised Australian WaterMark accreditation, which means that it passed tests and requirements regarding its suitability for supplying water for human consumption. These tests encompass taste, smell, toxins and corrosive effects on plumbing and pipework. Drawing a miniscule 4.2 amps at 240V (1000w) and 25 amps at 12v (300w), the 409 x 262 x 267mm Duoetto MK2 retains the strengths of its predecessor, including: Manufactured to Australian Standard AS/NZS 3350.1.1:2002 and with WaterMark certification to Australian Standard AS/NZS 3498:2009 Adjustable thermostat on 240V up to 75o Durable outer case with service and inspection points The water heater connects to 12V DC power supply meaning there is no need for a generator, inverter or 240V power supply. Integrated magnesium sacrificial anode protects against galvanic corrosion and extends the life of the water heater. Thermal cutout Over-heat protection Combination brass pressure relief valve Warranty 12 months

Firestone air springs have set quality benchmarks since the company invented the air spring in 1938 The Australian distributor of the world’s top selling air springs for truck suspensions says local transport operators and businesses dependent on trucks are being short-changed by some look-alike products that don’t offer the same quality, performance and reliability. Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd has more than 30 years experience  as Australia’s leading supplier of  Firestone air springs and associated pneumatic technology for the transport sector, including heavy duty Firestone Airride rolling sleeve and convoluted airbags and Ride-Rite and Coil- Rite supplementary air suspension kits for lighter trucks, utes, vans and 4wds. “Substitute airbags can be closely modelled on the appearance of Firestone original, but many have problems associated with poorer quality design, engineering and construction. This can adversely affect reliability, serviceability and risk management, which are crucial to transport operators,” says Air Springs Supply Sales Manager Mr Russell Chown. “Sensible operators wouldn’t think of putting their costly vehicles on inferior look-alike tyres –  that would be appalling risk management – so why would they fit suspension look-alike products inferior to the world’s Number One air spring, which is used as OEM technology by leading truck makers? “ A vehicle’s suspension is every bit as important to reliability, safety and risk management across major industries using trucks, including automotive and transport, mining and resources, manufacturing and logistics, fleet management and safety.” Telltale defects of look-alike springs of which transport operators should be aware include: Rust Resistance The Firestone Air spring, left, with trivalent chromium coating, has been subjected to 200-hour salt spray testing, more than twice the normal 96 hours. The rusty airbag, right, failed after the standard 96 hour test. Sealing Reliability The stud braze technique used on Firestone Air Springs provides a continuous seal (pictures one and two, left) while non-genuine parts may show irregular welds and potential leak points (pictures three and four, right). The brazed fitting create a more reliable seal, while the welded fittings shown create a weak spots which can affect the integrity of the seal around the fitting joint, causing leaks. Piston Strength Firestone’s highly engineered rib design (left) provides a robust piston while an inferior piston design (right) may lead to premature failure. Firestone performs extensive load testing to ensure piston durability before its products are fitted to trucks. Piston Stud Strength Firestone air spring piston stud, left, is designed for strong axial support, with a solid one-piece design giving optimal axial and lateral strength. A lower quality design (right) gives less support and presents a greater possibility of bending. The two-piece welded design has less axial rigidity and could break off after extended use. Superior Rubber and Cord Firestone’s distinctive fabric cord is not something the naked eye can readily detect, but does make a difference in air springs performance. Graphic below shows the strongly engineered inner layer, first ply, second ply and outer cover. Firestone’s proprietary rubber compound utilizes the highest grade materials and the best compounding technology in the industry, says Mr Chown. “Firestone air springs meet and exceed the world’s most rigorous testing standards. They don’t leave the factory without first passing 190psi (13 bar) proof testing,”’ says Mr Chown. When it comes down to it, trucks are a major livelihood for many and vital to a huge range of businesses, so keeping your truck running and on the road is crucial. Truck manufacturers know and trust Airride as OEM and Firestone is constantly working to set the quality bar higher, said Mr Chown, adding that Firestone is the only air spring manufacturer in the world with manufacturing facilities in the US. Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd, recently enhanced its commitment to national and global standards of quality assurance by gaining ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Management Systems – Requirements certification. The company places a high priority on continuously reinforcing its customers’ confidence in doing business with an organisation that can consistently meet or exceed their needs on time. ISO 9001 certification is invaluable to customers in demonstrating that the organisation involved can consistently provide products or services that meet the requirements of customers and of any applicable regulations relating to them. ISO 9001 benefits to customers include assurance of global standards of consistency, quality and supply of products for which Air springs is exclusive national distributor, including Firestone air springs – the world’s No 1 brand for heavy vehicle suspensions.

John’s Mazda Bravo Suncamper fitted with Airbag Man helper kit For motorhome owners, when weather and road conditions get tougher, it’s even more noticeable what a difference Airbag Man’s supplementary air suspensions can make to the stability and performance of your vehicle. John McIver is a regular traveller, taking his Mazda Bravo 2.6L Suncamper motorhome from his home in NSW out as far as Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The camper is fitted with Airbag Man’s rear suspension leaf helper kit to help maintain an even vehicle height and reduce wear on the tyres. “I tested a model without the suspension as a comparison and it was nowhere near as stable,” Mr McIver said. “Out on the open roads of WA the speed limits are higher and with the air suspension installed I can easily sit on the maximum speed limit without compromising stability,” he said. John has owned his Suncamper motorhome since July 2004 and had the air suspension fitted from new and he enthuses about the product and how it has performed. Suncamper, the manufacturing company chose to fit the Airbag Man air bags and that was one of the major reasons for choosing their product, Mr McIver says. He faced his toughest challenge on a skiing trip in Perisher when a blizzard hit. He drove back to Jindabyne down windy alpine roads and arrived safely, without any rocking and rolling of the vehicle. All snow and ice had been cleared from the road, but the wind was fierce. “It was the hardest I’ve ever been hit by wind. I talked to a local business owner afterwards who said he’s seen semi trailers and tour buses get blown over on that road. If I hadn’t had the airbags, I would have been blown right off the road,” he said. Airbag Man is Australasia’s leading manufacturer and supplier of air suspension products for the commercial, industrial and recreational markets, incorporating high quality airbags from top quality manufacturers such as from the world’s No 1 – Firestone. In addition to pure air suspensions, Airbag Man engineer’s kits for leaf sprung vehicles and kits for coil sprung vehicles. The range encompasses virtually all popular 2wd and 4wd vehicles , light and medium trucks, pickup vehicles, SUVs and vans from Australia, Asia, the US and Europe. Airbag Man Air Suspension Kits – featuring the same type of tough Firestone air springs used underneath semi trailers – fit between vehicle chassis’ and leaf springs to absorb the increasing weight of loads that cause vehicles to sag or lean or produce unstable rocking and rolling. This imbalance can result in hazardous driving conditions and wear and tear on the vehicle’s tyres, suspension and frame. “My camper stands at 3.1m high at the top of the antenna and 6m long, weighing 2.65 tonnes, so the height to width ratio makes it quite susceptible to air currents. Sometimes on long open highways you get spots where a pocket of warm air meets a pocket of cold air and vehicles literally get pushed into the next lane. I drove through those conditions riding on air suspension without being moved at all. The airbags are what maintain the stability through such an encounter!” Mr McIver said. The Airbag’s work with the existing suspension to re-level loaded vehicles to their ideal configuration, which is with frame and body parallel to the axle, as in an unloaded vehicle. The kits have benefits when the vehicle is loaded or empty, because the air pressure helps take the strain off existing metal springs, preventing sagging and helping them to last longer. Not only are the air suspension kits designed to give better ride and handling, but also their air springs can be inflated to different pressures to cope with uneven loads, varying weights and towing. Many travellers carry toolboxes, generators, batteries, motorcycles or camping materials permanently located on one side or corner of the vehicle, or in a trailer, said Airbag Man. “For me, that fact that I’ve been driving this camper for nearly 10 years and it’s never blown over or felt unstable proves I made the right choice using Airbag Man Air Suspension right from the start,” says Mr McIver.

The Toyota Hilux 4×4 Ute Australia’s most popular pickup, the Toyota Hilux, has sold more than 750,000 vehicles since its debut in 1971. This top selling commercial vehicle has even topped the overall car sales list several times over the last 12 months, pointing to its extensive popularity not only as a tough tradesmen’s, contractor and farmers vehicle, but also doubling up as family vehicle used for towing caravans, trailers and boats in addition to the usual compressors, tanks, tools, generators and construction materials. All this popularity – and a braked towing capacity of up to 2500kg on 4×4 models – means the Hilux carries a huge variety of loads for across mining, energy, trades and industrial worksites as well as Outback roads, campsites and coastal resorts. To help cope with such diverse demands, All-Air Suspension supplies a custom-engineered Ride-Rite rear leaf spring helper kit to further enhance the stability and safety of Toyota Hilux vehicles, including the latest ranges. “The kits are engineered to maintain the safety and stability of vehicles across a huge range of operating conditions, under which they are expected to produce the same safe, stable and comfortable performance whether the vehicle is full, half full, empty, towing or with most of the weight on one side,” says All-Air General Manager, Mr James Maslin. The Hilux kit – specifically engineered by Airbag Man for the Hilux range – features heavy duty Firestone Airbags, which are durable and easy to install and are designed to allow users to maintain correct vehicle ride height with enhanced steering and braking stability as a result – even under a heavy load or with a trailer. Ride-Rite helper kits are designed to assist the existing leaf springs, providing hard working Utes with excellent ride, load carrying and adjustability. This helps to maintain the correct vehicle design height and will avoid any spring sag. It also has the option of on-board air controls, allowing the user to vary the pressure in each airbag without having to get out and adjust valving manually. Safety is particularly important when these vehicles are carrying passengers and valuable loads across uneven and varying surfaces. Leaf springs can assist vehicles like the Toyota Hilux in performing to design specifications without additional wear to the chassis or tyres, says All-Air Suspension. It is important to note that the air springs do not increase the vehicle’s load capacity – they are designed to optimise the performance, within the vehicle’s limitations. Users should not exceed the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). “The kits have benefits whether the vehicle is loaded or empty, towing or not towing, because the air pressure takes the strain off existing metal springs, preventing sagging and helping them to last longer,” says Mr Maslin. The kit comes with full instructions and is designed for easy, user-friendly installation.